Karuma bridge repair : How Two Ferries At Masindi port will operate

ALEX PITHUA

Uganda National Revenue Authority (UNRA),  has confirmed the operation of two ferries on river Nile at the Masindi port after it has announced a total closure of Karuma bridge.

On Tuesday UNRA announced permanent closure of Karuma bridge,  to pave way for major rehabilitation after it has outlived its life span for over 60 years.

Speaking to journalists at Karuma bridge on Tuesday, Minister for Works and transport Katumba Wamala, said among other works,  they will include replacing the deck on the bridge, improving on the safety at the edge with stronger materials, they will also put lights and improve on the approaches among others.

Minister Wamala implored that the approaches at Masindi port will be quickly worked on.

On its Official X, UNRA on Thursday evening, UNRA posted that, at the Masindi Port Crossing, the additional ferry sails alongside the existing ferry with a video clip of the two vessels sailing.

This is one of the alternative routes that will be available to passengers crossing to Gulu, Lira and beyond during the time that Karuma Bridge will be undergoing rehabilitation UNRA Added

According to UNRA Crossing time is ONLY 10 minutes, Free of charge.

“To use the Masindi Port ferries, motorists from Kampala using the Gulu highway (through Luwero—Nakasongola—Kafu—Rwenkunye) can branch off to the right at Rwenkunye to connect to Masindi Port, which is about 8 kilometres away.” UNRA 

This development has affected several small and business operators along the urban centres of Kamdini, Karuma, Bwayale and Kigumba. They say they lost business completely.

According to government, effective Monday 23^rd September 2024,  no movement across Karuma bridge is allowed except via Masindi port ferry crossing point and Packwach- Masindi via Murchison Falls  National Park.

Meanwhile a section of the legislators  from Northern Uganda have  urged the government to open an alternative route for  movement of  light vehicles on the new Karuma bridge atthe dam side.

The MPs who were led by the Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya addressed media yesterday at parliament seeking the government to consider the plight of the people because it’s a better alternative but response has been made to this regard.

The repair works of the bridge IS being undertaken by the Chinese firm China Railway Seventh Group and National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) at a tune of shillings 7.9 billion

The works commenced on July 15, 2024, an immediate route diversion for heavy vehicles and now the government announced that the works will be complete in three-month, Sept 23^rd to December 2024.